About this site

We have been collating lists of carol sings in the South Yorkshire and
North Derbyshire areas for some years, making them available on various
websites. In 2009, when one of these sites seemed likely not to be maintained
any longer, we decided to begin this site.

There are other places where local carols exist and where sings
take place – after being asked to advertise some of these,
we now have a dedicated page for sings elsewhere; if you wish us to include
your events, please let us have any details by emailing
info@localcarols.org.uk.

Pat Malham and Frazer Jarvis

More about carolling in the Sheffield and North Derbyshire area

... the months have passed by and it will soon be time once
more for the annual season of local carols. This wonderful occasion seems to
come round much sooner than it ever did but I think that is something to do
with Anno Domini, rather than global warming. The traditional starting date is
based on Armistice Day. This is sometimes taken as 11 November, sometimes as
Armistice Sunday, depending upon indeterminable factors. It always seems to
be the case, though, that the singing in the Sheffield area starts earlier and
lasts longer than in Derbyshire.

Although there is a core of carols that are sung at most venues, each
particular place has its own mini-tradition. The repertoire at two nearby
places can vary widely, and woe betide those who try to strike up a
‘foreign’ carol. “We don’t sing that one here,” will
come as a sharp reminder. Some are unaccompanied, some have a piano or organ,
there is a flip chart with the words on in one place, a string quartet
(quintet, sextet, septet) accompanies the singing at another, some encourage
soloists, others stick to audience participation, a brass band plays at certain
events, the choir takes the lead at another; but, whatever the occasion, there
is always a warm welcome and a willingness to help the newcomers with words
and tunes.

What variety of names there is! Start off with old favourites such as
Star of Bethlehem or Hail! Smiling Morn or
Peace O’er The World, then move on to Spout Cottage,
followed by Tinwood or Mount Moriah, meeting, on the way,
the Prodigal Son, the Reapers and Six Jolly Miners,
return via Portugal and Egypt, along Back Lane, with
a detour to Swaledale, back to Malin Bridge, and possibly
finish up with a rousing version of the Bradda Anthem or
Mount Zion. You’re bound to hear someone say,
“I didn’t know he’d been poorly!” when
Jacob’s Well is announced and there will often be those who
want to keep singing the last two lines, even after the pianist or organist
has already allowed you two or three repeats! And don’t expect to hear
While Shepherds announced – it will probably be
Pentonville or Cranbrook or Liverpool or
Old Foster or Lloyd or Lyngham or ... the list seems
to be endless.

Although most carols have four parts, it tends to be the bass line offset
against the tune which is usually heard, but some singers quite happily
change from one to the other – and nobody minds. The delight
of having an accompanist is that the symphony – the linking
part between two verses – can be heard and it isn’t
unknown for some of the singers to provide part of the symphony, if there
isn’t an accompanist.

There are a few places with regular weekly sings: Dungworth, Worrall,
Wharnciffe Side, Lodge Moor, Ecclesfield, Grenoside and Oughtibridge, for
example. Other regular places, sometimes only once, include
Castleton, Hathersage, Eyam, Foolow, Bamford and Upper Denby. Both
Traditional Sword Teams – Handsworth and
Grenoside – end up on Boxing Day in a pub, with the local
carols. Also, keep an eye open for the Loxley and Stannington Bands, who tend
to be very active in the weeks before Christmas. There are still a few places
where the tradition continues of singing on a Christmas tour round the village,
at various houses or at a central place. These include Eyam, Foolow and Coal
Aston. Wherever you go, keep singing!